Monowi Nebraska // Short film: Julius Meyer. November 1938

Lilo Mangelsdorff

Worldpremiere | In the presence of the directors Lilo Mangelsdorff and Heiko Arendt.

Driving down Highway 12 through the sparse landscapes of Nebraska, one cannot help but notice the sign for Monowi. Below the name there is the number 1 – representing Monowis last resident. After the abolition of the railroad industry there was neither work nor perspective, so a whole generation left the village, leaving behind only one married couple. When her husband died a few years ago, 80 year old Elsie Eiler became mayor as well as librarian and waitress – and the last resident of her village. However, her life is not dreary. She rather fills her days with a whole lot of heartiness and an enviable zest for action. Since then, the little inn is not only her home, but also meeting point for her numerous regulars, coming from surrounding villages. She knows little stories about every house and every street and thus keeps the village's memento alive.

With Monowi NebraskaLilo Mangelsdorff paints the portrait of a remarkable woman, who, despite all circumstances, takes her life and her destiny in her own hands.